Cartridge implement



Patented Feb 28, I899.

' s. B. KITCHEL. CARTRIDGE IMPLEMENT.

(Application filed Dec. 29, 1898.)

(No Model.)

Attorney lNVE/vrozg s: 16. mm

UNITED STATES PATENT @FETQE.

SIMON B. KITCHEL, OF COLDWATER, MICHIGAN.

CARTRIDGE IMPLEMENT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 620,330, dated February28, 1899.

Application filed December 29, 1898. Serial No. 700,619- (No model.)

To (0Z1 whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, SIMON B. KITCHEL, a citizen of the United States,residing at Coldwater, in the county of Branch and State of Michigan,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in CartridgeImplements, of which the following is a specification, reference beinghad therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to cartridge implements.

The object of the invention is to improve implements for crimping andcompressing the ends of paper shells for shot-cartridges.

In my Patent No. 615,282, of December 6, 1898, I describe and claim animplement for crimping paper cartridge-shells and compressing thecrimped ends of such cartridges by means of an expanding mandrel. In mypresent invention a similar result is reached by substituting aneccentric mandrel for an eX- panding mandrel. The present invention ischeaper to construct and in some respects easier to use. I

Figure 1 is a partial elevation and partial section of acartridge-crimping implement and cartridge, showing a mechanism forforcing the mandrel to eccentric position for ironing down orcompressing the crimped cartridge. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section ofthe cylinder or annulus and mandrel, showing relation of same to acartridge in the act of compressing or ironing down the crimped end.Fig. 3 is an end view of the cylinder and mandrel of Fig. 2, withmandrelconcentric to cylinder or annulus. Fig. at is a similar View withmandrel eccentric. Figs. 5 and 6 are end views of modifications ofcylinder and mandrel, and Fig. 7 is a longitudinal section of amodification of cylinder and mandrel.

Paper-cased shot-cartridges are generally crimped or turned in at theouter end by causing a moving piece having small bearing or crimpingsurfaces to bear against the end of the shell, and by rotating eitherthe shell or the crimping-surfaces the crimping is made progressive.These crimpingsurfaces are very often made in the form of pins.

A represents the frame of a cartridgecrimper, B the lever, and O theclamp by which a cartridge K may be held and pressed toward thecrimping-cylinder. D represents a hollow cylinder provided with suitablemeans for rotation. E indicates a crimpingpin in the cylinder; G, amandrel Within the cylinder pressed outward by a spring H and not quitefilling ring D. All these elements are well known in this class ofimplements. The only novel features found in Fig. l are the adjustablecharacter of pin E and mandrel G.

The implement is to be used in usual manner in crimping or turning inthe end of the cartridge-shell. When this has been effected, the pin E,which screws into the ring D, is drawn out a little and a set-screw M isturned in, forcing the mandrel G a little to one side of the center ofthe ring and into firm contact with the crimp of the shell. (See Figs. 2and 4:.) Now by rotating ring D relatively to the cartridge the mandrel,which bears on the crimp between itself and the ring, irons down orcompresses the crimp.

In my patent referred to the surface which ofiers resistance to theexpansion of the mandrel and which causes the compression of the crimpis on the inside of the crimp itself. In the present invention theresisting-s11 rface is the outer surface of the shell directly op=posite the bearing-point of the mandrel.

To neatly crimp the cartridges, it is desirable that the inner ends ofcrimping-pins E E come close to mandrel G. For the purpose of moving themandrel to eccentric po sition it is necessary that at least one of thepins, as E, should be movable, and in Figs. 1 to 4 the adjustment ofpins and of the mandrel to eccentric position is effected by setscrews.Such mechanism is efiective, but somewhat slow of application.

In the modifications Figs. 5 to 7 I show crimping-pins E asautomatically self-adjusting by means of springs. In Fig. 5, 0 denotesan elastic band, which tends to press all the pins E inward againstmandrel G, yet one or more of the pins may be pressed out by anypressing mechanism which forces the mandrel to eccentric position,whether the same be a set-screw M or a wedge M or other mechanism. So aspiral spring 0, bearing on all the pins E will accomplish the sameresult, or separate fiat springs 0 as in Fig. 7, might be used to pressthe pins of crimping-pieces toward the mandrel. In any case it ispreferable to make one or more of the crimping-surfaces automaticallyself-retiring when the mandrel G is forced to eccentric position in thering D.

The mandrel may be supported on an elastic stem, as indicated at G GFig. 7. The elasticity of the stem Will normally center the mandrel G inring D, but will permit the adjusting device to force the mandrel out ofcenter, pin E yielding for the purpose.

As will be seen, I do not limit myself to the number or position of thecrimping devices, or to the mechanism for making them yielding orself-adjusting, or to the mechanism for making the mandrel Geccentrically adjustable relatively to ring D.

The operation of ironing down or compressingthe crimped cartridges isfully described in my patent referred to and is substantially the samewith the present invention, the lateral or eccentric adjustment of theentire mandrel with relation to the inclosin g ring effectingsubstantially the same result reached 'by the expansion of some part ofan expanding mandrel, as described in the patent.

Whether a screw, wedge, or other mechanism be used for pressing mandrelG against the crimp such mechanism should be powerful and positive inits operation,as the amount of compression requiredis considerable. Thecompressing or ironing down of the crimp should not be attempted untilthe crimping or turningin of the end of the shell has been completed.

WVhat I claim is 1. In a cartridge implement a crimpingring providedwith a movable crimping-pin, a mandrel normally central in the ring, andmeans for retiring said crimping-pin, and means for adjusting themandrel to eccentric position in the ring, whereby the cartridgecrimpcan be compressed between the man drel and the ring,.all combinedsubstantially as described.

2. In a cartridge implement, a crimpingring, means for rotating saidring relatively to the mouth of the cartridge inelosed therein, amovable crimping-surface in said ring, a mandrel within the ring, andmeans for positively adjusting said mandrel to eccentric relation withthe ring, and toward the movable crimping-surface, all substantially asdescribed.

3. In a cartridge implement, a ring for containing the mouth of thecrimped or folded cartridge, a mandrel Within said ring, means forpressing said mandrel toward one side of the ring, and means forrotating the ring relatively to the cartridge, all combinedsubstantially as described.

4. In a cartridge implement, the crimpingring, the mandrel within saidring, the crimping-surfaces extending into close proximity with saidmandrel, and means for retiring at least one of said crimping-surfacesto permit displacement of the mandrel, substantially as described.

5. In a cartridge implement, the cartridgesupporting ring, and means forrotating it, elastically-supported cri m ping-su rfaces within the ring,and the mandrel normally in central position in the ring, and meanswhereby said mandrel may be made eccentric to the supporting-ring, allcombined substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

SIMON B. KITOHEL.

Witnesses:

A. J. ALDRICH, IDA M. RoBLEE.

